Ash Wednesday

Article

Why do we begin Lent with such a stark reminder of death as Ash Wednesday? Precisely because we are, during this season, preparing ourselves, and some among us, to live out the vows of the baptismal covenant more faithfully. And baptism is about death first...

Liturgy

Ash Wednesday emphasizes a dual encounter: we confront our own mortality and confess our sin before God within the community of faith. The form and content of the service focus on the dual themes of sin and death in the light of God's redeeming love in Jesus Christ. Depending upon circumstances, this service may be held (1) early in the morning, before the work and school day begin; (2) at noontime, perhaps observing a fast with the deletion of the regular noon meal; or (3) early in the evening, perhaps following a shared sacrificial meal of bread and water.

Article

While many think of actions such as the imposition of ashes, signing with the cross, footwashing, and the use of incense as something that only Roman Catholics or high church Episcopalians do, there has been a move among Protestant churches, including United Methodists, to recover these more multisensory ways of worship.

Article

Article

In 2010, I received a request for a “contemporary” Ash Wednesday service. This was a first for this office, to my knowledge. Typically, we’ve commended using the ritual in the Book of Worship because it does what this service needs to do and because it does so using highly ecumenically recognizable language and symbols and standard United Methodist resources.

Article

Ash Wednesday can be among the most accessible of rituals in our liturgy for children and their families, IF it's not handled in a "stuffy" or overly formalistic way. The symbols involved are basic and very tangible. Children get this!

Article

People of the Bible grappled with the concept of individual sin as well as that of corporate sin. Sometimes their prayers were for individual sin(s); and at other times, they all stood and confessed that their country had sinned.

Video

Ever seen a little smudge mark on someone's forehead as they walk out of church? That's a sign of the cross, and it means it's Ash Wednesday during Lent. Chuck, Discipleship Ministries's humorous philosopher and knower of church things, tells you about this important worship service in this episode from the series Chuck Knows Church.

Article

Simplicity and spareness, quiet and focus: These are the atmospheric touchstones for the Ash Wednesday service. The ritual in the current Book of Worship offers the shape for this service that has been kept worldwide for centuries. No sermon is needed here. Perhaps the briefest of homilies, perhaps even just a series of words, as in this simple video by Greg Feightner.